Grip for tramway bucket conveyers.



APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 4, 1909.

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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B. G. RIBLET.

GRIP FOR TRAMWAY BUCKET OONVEYERS.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1909.

Q5 3 3 D Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

B, G. RIBLET:

GRIP FOR TRAMWAY BUCKET UONVEYERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1909.

Patented Apr.5,1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

B. C; RIBLET. FOR TRAMWAY BUCKET GONVEYERS. APPLICATION FILED AUGA, 1909.

GRIP

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

5 SHEBTSSHEET 4 WLTNESSES:

mnnzw 5 5mm: co, PHCTOiiEhGGmPHEKs wnswusmw D C B. O BIBLE-T. GRIP FOR TRAMWAY BUCKET 00 NVEYERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1909.

Patentedi Apr. 5,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

rn rnn r inn BYRON C. RIBLET, OF NEW/V YORK, N. Y.

GEE? FOR, TRAIiENAY BUCKET GONVEYERS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Application filed August 4, 1909.

castes.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EYRON C. ltinnn'r, a-

eitizen of the United States, and residing in the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grips for Tramway Bucket Conveyors, of which the following is a specification.

In the operation of tramway bucket conveyor systems, in which the load carrying bucket is mounted upon a hanger suspended from a car running upon a. cable or other track, and in which the propelling rope or cable is detaciably coupled to the hanger frame beneath the car, it is necessary, because of the varying elevations over which the bucket travels, to provide a gripping device between the hanger frame and the conveying rope or cable which will permit relative n'iovementbetween the hanger frame and grip, so that the bucket may hang approxin'iately vertically no matter at what angle the tramway track and propelling rope or cable are presented. it is common in this art to provide such grip in which the bucket hanger turns or pivots freely upon the grip supporting frame.

My present invention relates to an improvement upon this style of conveyer grip.

The main object of my nesent invention is to provide a simple and substantial grip I l l l l l mechanism in which the two men'ibers of,

the grip are carried by a grip ring rotatably mounted vithin the bucket hanger in such manner that the jaws will be presented approximately in line with the center of rotation of the grip carrying ring within the bucket hanger.

My invention also includes grip operating mechanism mounted upon the bucket hanger and engaging the cable grip at a point or points approximately in line with the center of rotation of the grip carrying ring. v v ith this arrangement, it will be clear that the turning movements of the oucket hanger on the grip carrying ring. being approxin'iatcly concentric with the line upon which the grip engages the cable and the operating means engage the grip, the oscillating movements of the bucket and hanger in traveling from point to point will not interfere with the closed or clamped position of the grip and will not subject the conveying rope or cable to undue transverse strain at the point of engagement of the grip.

In the operation of my improved gripping mechanism, the grip and operating means turn relatively at their point or points of engagement in the same axis that the buckethanger swings.

Numerous modifications embodying the essential features of my present invention can be employed. In the several modifications so far developed by me, as hereinafter described, I have arranged the two relatively movable parts of the grip upon the grip carrying ring with anti-friction rollers having trai'isversely curved peripheries, constituting in effect Zones of spheres, having their longest diameters arranged in the plane of the axis upon which the bucket hanger rotates with relation to the grip carrying ring, and grip operating means upon the bucket hanger, preferably in the form of a wedging device, which is adapted to be presented between the anti-friction roll ers of the grip members for operating the grip. This arrangement such that the points of engagement between the wcdging device and the anti-friction rollers of the grip members will be approximately in line with the axis of relative rotation between the hanger and grip carrying ring. By reason of the formation of the anti-friction rollers, it will be observed that there will be a single point of contact between the wcdging device and each roller so that in the relative movements between the bucket hanger and grip ring, the friction between the wedging device and anti-friction rollers of the grip members will be reduced to a minimum, and such relative movement will not affect the clamped condition of the grip.

in addition to these main features, my invention includes other important stru tu al features and in order that my invention may be fully understood I will first describe the same with reference to the ac con'ipanying drawings, and afterward point out the novelty more particularly in the annexed claims.

In said drawings: Figure l is a detail side elevation of part of a tramway bucket conveyor showing my improved grip applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse, sectional. elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the preferred form of grip and operating mechanism. dis a detail front elevation of the parts of the mechanism shown in Fig. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view of the gripping members taken on the section line 50-50 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified form of my invention. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of the same. Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the form of wedge shown in Fig. Fig. 9 is detail side elevation of a further modification. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation of the form of mechanism shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of the stationary cam track employed for operating the grip in the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Tramway conveyers of the type to which my pic nt improvements relate, include a tramway track bar or rope, such as indicated at 1,. a wheeled carriage indicated at 2, a bucket supporting or hanger frame indicated at 3, suspended from a pivotal connection with the carriage 2 as indicated at 4;, a bucket pivotally mounted at 6 in the lower ends of the arms of the hanger frame 3, dogs 7 pivoted to the hanger frame at S and engaging lugs 9 upon the bucket to sustain the bucket in carrying position, and a propelling or conveying rope or cable indicated at 10 to which the bucket hanger is detachably coupled through means of a suitable gripping device carried by the hanger frame. is stated above my present invention relates to improvements in this gripping device. The bucket hanger frame 3 supports by means of arms or braces 15 or other suitable connection a circular hearing shell within which is freely journaled the grip carrying ring 25. This bearing 20 and ring may be of any suitable construction, such as now commonly used in this art. As shown in the drawings, the ring 25 is shaped like a hollow pulley with the strengthening end wall 26 formed with a central horizontal slot 27 for the reception of the movable grip member.

30 is the fixed or rigid grip member formed integral with or otherwise securely fastened to the end wall 26 of the grip carrying ring 25. This fixed grip member 30 is in the form of a shallow hook adapted to fit over the propelling cable 10.

is the movable grip member which is movably mounted in the guide slot 27 and is formed with the grip jaw 36 which is adapted to engage the conveying rope 10 and clamp it rigidly against the fixed grip member 30. The movable grip member is also formed with the laterally projecting guide lugs 37 which engage and slide in the guide slots 38 formed in the side checks or plates 39 extending downwardly from the fixed hook 30 and outwardly from the end plate 26 of ring The movable grip member 35 has the rearwardly presented separated bearing arms 4:0 in which is journaled a vertical pin 41 having freely mounted upon it an anti-friction roller 4:2. This antifriction roller 12 is supported in the space between the bearing arms 10 and is free to rotate upon the vertical pin 41. The lower end of the pin d1 projects beyond the bearing arm of grip member 35 and guides in a slot 45 cut in the central guide wall 4-5 of the ring 25. Projecting from the lower bearing arm 4C0 is a grip releasing hook or lug 4L6 operating as hereinafter explained.

Formed integral with or otherwise rigidly secured to the bearing ring 25 is the rearwardly presented bracket formed with a slot 51 in its rear wall to receive the antifriction roller 52, which is freely journaled upon a bearing pin 53 mounted in the upper and lower walls of the slotted bracket 50.

It will be observed that the anti-friction rollers 12 and mounted upon the movable and fixed members of the grip (the roller 52 is in effect mounted upon the fixed member of the grip because both the bracket 50 and grip member 30 are rigid with the ring 25) have their peripheries rounded or curved transversely making them in effect in the shape of zones of spheres. The arrangement of these rollers is such that their longest diameters, including the highest parts of their peripheries, will be presented in a plane which includes the aXis upon which the bearing 20 and grip ring 25 have relative rotary movement. It will also be observed that the. engagement of the grip members with the conveying cable is also approximately in the same plane.

is an overhanging bracket projecting from the bearing frame 20, and is an op erating shaft freely journaled in the depending arms 61 and 62 of the brac et 60. This shaft 65 carries between the arms 61 and 62 a wedging cam or disk '70. The shaft 65 is supported just above the anti-friction rollers 42 and 52, and the wedging member upon said shaft 65 projects between said rollers 42 and 52 and engages each roller at a single point in the axial line of relative motion between bearing 20 and ring 25. The outer end of the shaft 65 carries a heavy operating arm '75 in the outer end of which is freely pivoted a combined weight and anti-friction roller 76. Adjacent to the track bar 1 at any suitable point at which it is desired to disengage the grip from the con veying cable, is mounted an inclined cam track in proper position to engage the weight or roller 76 as the car and bucket hanger move toward it, with the result that the shaft 65 will be turned in its bearings to rotate the wedging member 70 to release the grip. The wedging member 70 also carries a cam flange 71 which projects into engagement with the lug or hook 46 upon the movable grip member 35 so that upon backward movement of the wedge between the rollers 42 and 52, the cam fiange 71 will en gage the lug or hook 46 and positively move the grip member 35 away from the grip rear mid. of the movable gri p member 23 "ii member 30 to permit the disengagement of the grip from the cable.

Since the point of engagement; between the am flange 71 and hook lit is slightly below the axial line of relative motion between barring 20 and ring 25, it is necessary to provide for sutlicient clearance between flange 71 and hook in order that the swingi 1g of the bucket hanger upon the grip ring will not be interfered with by the engagement of flange Tl with hook d6.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have shown a modified form of m improved gripping device in which a straight wedge is employed in place of the rotary wedge shown in the preferred form. In this modification, the main parts of the grip are the same as above described and are identified by the same refer ence nume 'als. A straight bar-shaped wedge is presented in horizontal position between the anti-friction rollers l2 and 52 and guided in suitable bearings indicated at 86 formed in the flange extensions of bearing frame 20. This wedgiup; member 85 has upon its upper face a ra :k bar 87 with which engages a gear wheel 88 kryed to the shaft (lfi which journaled in the bracket frame (30 and operated, in the same manner as above described. The hoot: or lug l6 upon the moyably clamped member 37 is enraged by a cam flange 89 to draw the movable. clamp member rearwardly when the weda'e is moved backwardly Jetween, the anti-fr ction rollers of the clamp. it will be undertood that this clamp operating wedge in this modified form is actuated in the same manner as the rotary form of wedge above referred to. The points of engagement between the wedge and. the high portions of rollers 42 and are in the axial line of relative rotation between hearing: member 20 and ring member 25, the same s in the preferred form.

in 9. l0 and ll, I show a further modifi. ta ion in which the clamping members are constructed exactly as in the preferred form. and in which. a bar form of wedge is employed for operating the clamp. in the drawings of this term 1 have also employed the name reference numerals to indicate parts constructed the same as in the preferred form.

90 a bar-shaped wedge extending rertically across the re: r face of the grip ring E27 and passing through suitable guide lrackets 5H. and 92 extending rearwardly from the bearing); "rame 20 of the bucket hanger. 'lhe wedge 90 engages the antifriction rollers 4i and 52 journaled upon pins 4L1 and 53 in the movable and fixed grip members respectively. The wedge formed upon each side with a cam thing: which engages an inwardly projeetin or hook Mr. two of which are formed a I proximately in line with the a the purpose of ettectinpthe rca rwa rd movement of the movable grip member when the clamping pressure removed. The upper and of the wedge 90 is freely pivoted at to the pair of links or pitmen ltll piyotally connected at 102 with an operating and controlling bell crank lever 105 which is pivotally mounted at 106 between the forwardly projecting ears 10'? of the hanger frame 3. This bell crank lever [05 and the links 'lOt constitute a. toggle bet rcen the stationary fulcrum .106 and pivot end 100 of the redp e 9 The free end of the bell rank lever it 5 carries 2 ball or weight 110 which tends to strz ighten the toggle connection with the wedge 90 for elt'eetively applying clamping nessiure to the clamp 30 35. Anti-friction rollers 100 on pin 100 engage guide plate 100 of frame 3 to reduce friction.

For operating the clamp o ieratinn mechanism of this last described mmliticatiou. it

is necessary to provide alongside of the tramway track a spira form of cam track. such as shown at 115. which cam track must. be curved. upwardly and inwardly "this shape of C2111 track is necess beca use the operating arm 103 projects out at right. angles to the plane of travel of the bucket hanger and in releasing the must be moved upwardly in a curved path toward the track bar t.

it will be observe all of the forms of my invention il and described. the points of en ryagiment betv-.'een the grip operating wedgin Y a d tha in lnstrated h device ud the anti-trictiou rollers upon the grip members a Xis of rotation between the grip'ring and of the bucket hanger. is above c" this permits freedom of moreine bucket hanger upon the grip ring.

'el :1 ti ve without. interfering with the i'OllSlGil of the clamp ill clamped position. Another important ad *antage. resulting; from the use of the clamp operating wedging means is the e: pacit tor gripping ditl'er'uit si s of power rubles. it being clear that the wedge will close the jaws of the grip more or upon tl e. able to suit the siie in use.

Ti hile l have limited the illustration the stationa y cam track for operating wedginp; means to the use of such track for opening or releasing the grip. I would hare it understood that under certain circunlstances the grip operating wedgging de ice can be actuated by a similar form of ram tract: ananged to cause the closin of the L upon the able at the start of the eonieyu operation. This means for automatically clamping the grip may or i be enrployed. since .it will be clear ble to actuate th grip operat by hand. 'ih wedge forms 110 pa rt it my presen cepti'ng in a. broad sense.

It or the ll' hat I claim is:

1. In a mechanism of the character described. the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of agrip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a cable grip carried by said ring, and grip operating mechanism mounted upon said hanger and engaging the grip approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring in said hanger.

In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a able grip carried by said. ring and adapted to engage said cable approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring in said hanger, and grip operating mechanism mounted upon said hanger and engaging the grip approximately in line with said axis.

3. I11 a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, one part of which is movable relatively to the other, and grip operating mechanism mounted upon said hanger and engaging the movable part of said grip at a point approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring within said hanger.

I. In a mechanism of the cha acter de scribed, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, one part of which is movable relatively to the other, and grip operating mechanism mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two parts of said grip at points approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring within said hanger.

In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, one part of which is movable relatively to the other, said grip being adapted to engage said cable approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring in said hanger, and operating mechanism mounted upon said hanger and engaging said grip approximately in line with said axis.

6. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, two relatively movable grip members carried by said ring, and grip operating wedging means mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two grip members.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, two relatively movable grip members carried by said ring, and grip operating wedging means mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two grip members at points approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, two relatively movable grip members carried by said ring, said grip members being adapted to engage said cable approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring in said hanger, and grip operating wedging means mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two grip members at points approximately in line with said axis.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, two relatively movable grip members carried by said ring, and grip operating wedging means mounted upon said hanger and presented between said two grip members and engaging said members at single points approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a rotatable grip ring mounted in said hanger, a twopart cable grip mounted upon said ring, one part of which is movable relatively to the other, said grip being adapted to engage said cable at a point approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, and an operating wedge movably mounted upon said hanger and engaging between the two parts of said grip at points approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a traveling bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a two-part cable grip carried by said ring, a grip operating wedge mounted upon said hanger and engaging the grip at a pointapproximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, a wedge operating shaft journaled in said hanger, an arm mounted upon said shaft, and a stationary cam track adapted to engage said arm for releasing said grip.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a traveling bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in the bucket hanger, a two-part cable grip carried by said ring, a grip operating wedge mounted upon said hanger and engaging the grip at a point approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, a wedge operating shattournaled in said hanger, a welghted arm mounted upon said shaft, and

a stationary cam track adapted to engage I said arm for releasing said grip, and means upon said wedge for retracting the mo able member of said grip.

1. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, the combination with a. bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said. hanger, a cable grip carried by said ring and com prising two relatively movable parts, a grip operating wedge movably mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two parts of said grip approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, means for operating said wedge, and additional means of engagement between said wedge and the movable part of said grip for opening the grip when the wedge is withdrawn.

1%. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said hanger, a cable grip carried by said ring and comprising two relatively movable parts, a grip operating wedge movably mounted upon said hanger and engaging the two parts of said grip approximately in line with the axis of rotation or" said ring, means for operating said wedge, and a cam l'lange upon said wedge adapted to engage the movable part of said grip for opening the grip when the wedge is withdrawn.

15. In a mechanism of the character described, the eombination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, a rotatable wedging disk journaled upon said hanger and engaging between the two parts of said grip at points approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, and means for operating said wedging disk 16. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, a rotatable wedging disk journaled upon said hanger and engaging between the two parts of said grip at points approxin'iately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring, means for operating said wedging disk, and cam flange upon said disk engaging a part upon the movable grip member for opening the grip.

17. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tramway track, a carriage operating upon said track and supporting a bucket hanger, and a pro pelling rope, 01' a grip ring rotatably mount ed in said hanger, a two-part grip carried by said ring, wedging means mounted upon said hanger engaging the two parts 01. said grip at points approximately in line with the axis 01 rotation of said ring, a wedge operating arnf suitably connected with said wedge, and a stationary cam track mounted adjacent to said. tramway and adapted to engage said wedge operating arm.

18. in a device of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling cable, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said hanger, a two-part cable grip mounted upon said ring, one of said parts being movable relatively to the other, anti-triction rollers journaled upon the two parts cl said grip, and wedging means mounted upon the hang-er and adapted to engage said antid riction rollers for operating said grip.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger and a propelling eaole, of a grip ring rotatably mounted in said hanger, a two-part cable grip mounted upon said ring, anti-friction rollers journaled upon the two parts of said grip, each of said rollers being formed with transversely convexed surfaces and arranged with their greatest diameers in the plane of the axis oi. rotation of said ring, and wedging means mounted upon the hanger and adapted to engage said anti-friction rollers for operating said grip.

20. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a bucket hanger, and a propelling cable, of a grip ring carrying a relatively fixed grip member, a movable grip member mounted upon the grip ring, anti-friction rollers journaled upon the lixed and movable grip members, each of said rollers having its ieriphery shaped in the form of i. spherical zone, said rollers being journaled in the plane of the axis of rotation of said ring, and wedging means mounted upon said hanger and engaging the high points of said anti-friction rollers approximately in line with the axis of rotation of said ring.

BYRON C. RIBLET.

Il itnesses NM. E. KNIGHT, Lanna E. Monk. 

